Digg | River -

Home » World & Business » World News

US uses hard-ons to buy information from Afghanis (556 diggs) Among the world's intelligence agencies, there's a long tradition of using sex as a motivator. "The KGB has always used 'honey traps,' and it works." Viagra "could be a silver bullet to make connections" with tribal leaders. The CIA declined to comment on methods used in clandestine operations.

'Hate India' is what Pak Textbooks Teach (917 diggs) The empowerment of terror in Pakistan has not happened overnight. This is the logical culmination of the politics and policies pursued by Pakistan for years now. Terrorism in Pakistan has its roots in the culture of hate and the ethos of inequality on the ground of religious faith, leading to their being deeply ingrained in the Pakistani psyche.

Teacher beats pupil to death for not doing math homework (1,577 diggs) An Egyptian court has sentenced a schoolteacher to six years in jail for beating a pupil to death because he had not done his homework. The teacher's lawyer was quoted as saying in court: "Hitting [a child] is not banned in schools and my client did not break the law."

Insurers target middle-class drinkers with higher premiums (401 diggs) People who drink more than the recommended alcohol limits are being hammered with huge hikes in life insurance premiums. Firms are getting tough on the rising tide of binge drinking, and many clients are seeing their premiums double.

China begins anti-piracy mission (457 diggs) Three Chinese naval ships have set sail for waters off Somalia to protect Chinese vessels from pirate attacks.

McDonald's admits to paying 1,000 people to stand in line (1,572 diggs) OSAKA, Japan - Around 1,000 people were paid to join the queue outside the Midosuji-Suomachi branch of McDonald ’s for the release of their Quarter Pounder burger in the Kansai area on Tuesday, it was learned on Thursday.

It Happened on Christmas Day (PICS) (1,171 diggs) The top ten historical moments to land on December 25th

Bush reflective, Cheney defiant - Fuck you and goodbye (974 diggs) In exit interviews, President Bush sounds reflective, even chastened, while Vice President Dick Cheney is defiant to the end.

The Big 10: What's Wrong With This Picture? (511 diggs) While the players come and go, one thing is certain, their domination of the media has a corrosive effect on journalism, undermining debate in this country precisely when we need it the most.

Bush's $1 Trillion War on Terror: Even Costlier Than Expecte (983 diggs) The news that President Bush's war on terror will soon have cost the U.S. taxpayer $1 trillion — and counting — is unlikely to spread much Christmas cheer in these tough economic times. A trio of recent reports — none by the Bush Administration — suggests that sometime early in the Obama presidency, spending on the wars started since 9/11 will pass

Elderly Japanese Turning to Crime (495 diggs) The elderly in Japan are turning to petty crime, including shoplifting and pick-pocketing, to help make ends meet. A government report found that last year, 48,605 Japanese persons age 65 and older were arrested in crimes other than traffic violations. "The main reasons they shoplift are poverty and loneliness," said Kazuo Kawakami.

Time to Reboot America (3,705 diggs) Landing at Kennedy Airport from Hong Kong was, as I ’ve argued before, like going from the Jetsons to the Flintstones.

Death Toll Up At 6 w/3 Missing In Santa Massacre (727 diggs) At Least 6 Dead, Three Missing in Los Angeles 'Santa' Massacre, Stinging from an acrimonious divorce, a man plotting revenge against his ex-wife dressed up like Santa, went to his former in-laws' Christmas Eve party and slaughtered at least six people before killing himself hours later.

Mother sues over son's death in Metrolink crash (354 diggs) The mother of Michael Hammersley alleges negligence. Four who were injured also file suits.

Pope appeals for Mid-East peace (369 diggs) Pope Benedict XVI has used his traditional Christmas Midnight Mass to call for an end to "hatred and violence" in the Middle East.

Russia may cut off Ukraine's gas (694 diggs) Russian gas giant Gazprom has renewed its threat to cut off gas supplies to Ukraine on 1 January, saying a contract dispute has reached a "critical" stage.

British troops wear Santa hats to fight the Taliban (1,160 diggs) Christmas for the Commandos in Afghanistan was always going to be different - but no one could have predicted just how different.

Iraqis hope to sue U.S. troops under new accord (493 diggs) The families of three men who were killed last week during a search of a grain warehouse want to press charges against American soldiers under the terms of a new security agreement between the U.S. and Iraq.

Why Is The U.S. Military Preparing For Massive Civil Unrest? (1,925 diggs) A new report from the U.S. Army War College ’s Strategic Studies Institute says that the U.S. military must quickly prepare for massive civil unrest that could be precipitated by an “unforeseen economic collapse”.

The Treasury & the Fed are making up a game plan on the fly! (784 diggs) Sounds like a solid business plan! Let's give away a few more billion just because we can! "American Express Co and CIT Group, received approval to get $5.72 billion under the government's financial bailout program on Tuesday" Neither company would explain how they intend to use the taxpayers' money" || The cherry on the cake, no oversight! Hurray!

Petition Urges China to Free Dissident (307 diggs) More than 160 prominent writers, scholars and human rights advocates outside mainland China have signed an open letter calling for the release of Liu Xiaobo. Human rights advocates say that Mr. Liu has been made a target because he was one of the driving forces behind Charter 08, the recent manifesto demanding democratic reforms and accountability

Former Utah State Trooper Is Dallas Highway Killer (523 diggs) Dallas police say a former Utah state trooper who shot himself after a standoff may be behind at least one murder resulting from series of shootings that left two drivers dead during a Monday rush-hour rampage.

Obama Chooses Lincoln's Bible for Inauguration (2,254 diggs) President-elect Barack Obama will use the same Bible at his inauguration that Abraham Lincoln used for his swearing in. Obama will be the first president since Lincoln to use that Bible...

Pope Says Stopping Gays As Important As Saving Rainforest (3,196 diggs) Pope Benedict said on Monday that saving humanity from homosexual or transsexual behavior was just as important as saving the rainforest from destruction.

100-Car Pileup On I-94 In Michigan Leaves One Dead (697 diggs) A 100-car pileup on I-94 in western Michigan as a result of sustained whiteout blizzard conditions left one person dead and closed down an 11-mile section of the freeway for hours.